New survey reveals primary member benefits of EFCEM
In December 2024, The European Federation of Catering Equipment Manufacturers (EFCEM) conducted a comprehensive survey of its members. The purpose of the survey was to gauge members' opinion on what they value most about EFCEM and invite feedback on how it can enhance member benefits. The survey was launched as a key tenant of EFCEM's long-term strategy to increase and improve its communication to members.
The survey was completed anonymously by representatives from across EFCEM's nine National Associations of Producers (NAP) members, which represent 110 member organizations on average across Europe. In total 77% of those members are manufacturers and 6% distributors, while the estimated average annual combined turnover of each National Association's membership is €5.9bn.
The survey revealed that the top benefit of EFCEM membership to national associations was 'Representation, via access and influence in Brussels'. The second highest benefit was 'Communication/information on European legislation and national regulations', with the third being 'Networking and knowledge-sharing with other national associations'.
In terms of how EFCEM can improve its benefit to membership, 91% of respondents requested 'More regular communication' from the Federation while 64% called for 'Greater visibility via PR and industry events'.
Additional member feedback called for EFCEM to create a shared intranet platform that provides members with access to essential resources, including key contacts, market statistics and regulatory updates. A call for increased lobbying and “stronger relations with institutions” was also requested, as was the desire for EFCEM to “cover and analyze the incoming EU legislation, gather the industry's voice on important issues and make sure it is conveyed to the proper legislators.”
One respondent specifically requested greater “access to European data on the size and spread of the equipment market,” while another called for “ready-made communications that can be shared by the NAPs with their members, co-branded.”
Environmental impact
In terms of EFCEM's 'Most valued working groups (WG) and task forces (TF)', members identified the WG focused on 'Environmental Matters to Cover Energy Labeling, Ecodesign and WEEE, Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and the circular economy' in first place. 75% of members suggested this was the most valued WG or TF. In second place was the 'Safety, Hygiene and the Potability of Water' WG, while the 'Connectivity' WG was ranked in third place.
When asked to rank 'Significant regulatory and thematic topics with the greatest impact on National Association membership' in order of significance, 100% of members chose 'Eco Design' as the primary topic, with the 'Circular Economy' and 'Market Surveillance' in second and third place respectively. 'Standardisation Policy' and 'Digital & Legal Issues' round up the top five major themes.
Environmental topics also featured significantly with regards to a question pertaining to 'Specific technical issues impacting association's membership'. In order of significance, members demonstrated that the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) was the main current consideration, followed by Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations (ESPR), Flourinated Greehouse Gases (F-Gas), Waste Electrical & Electronics Equipments (WEEE) and the Energy Labeling Directive (ELD). The first four of those five issues were a primary concern for 100% of respondents.
For the 'Significant issues impacting National Association membership' in order of significance) members ranked 'Compliance with existing EU regulation' as the main issue, followed by 'Adapting to new regulations', 'Non-EU competitors', 'Skills shortages', 'Cost of materials', Cost of labour', 'ESG', and 'Shifting export/import dynamics'.
Feedback and suggestions
The survey revealed helpful feedback from members who showed an overwhelming appetite for increased and more focused communications from EFCEM, as well as wider collaboration and shared thinking between the NAPs. “The WGs are doing some great technical work together,” said one respondent. “But it would help to have a clearer purpose, deliverables and timescale for each WG, and to be able to disseminate their progress in a way that is not just digestible to technical staff but shows benefit to the wider industry and is newsworthy.”
One member called for the Federation to more closely “define the practices that could increase EFCEM's visibility within the sector,” while another requested that EFCEM work to “foster closer relationships between NAPs to share best practices and address common challenges.” A further concurred, calling for the Federation to “identify the key interests of members from different NAPs and develop a support framework to assist members in areas of change.”
A notable request was for EFCEM to provide “support (pragmatic solutions) to meet future challenges in areas such as sustainability reporting or upcoming cyber security requirements” particularly for small and medium-sized companies, so that they can also meet future requirements. With the pending Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and Radio Equipment Directive (RED) – Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 – proving to be an enormous challenge for manufacturers, EFCEM recently called upon members for their urgent feedback on the subject of cyber resilience .
Long term strategy
In advance of the launch of the survey, EFCEM's President Martin Ubl said his priority is to focus on communication. “The board is determined to increase and improve our communication to EFCEM members and show them clearly how we are helping to support their daily work. Effective communication is critical,” he said.
EFCEM's Secretary General Iain Munro added: “EFCEM will remain at the forefront as it seeks to represent members' interests across the continent. Collectively, we can articulate our common goals and ensure that actionable results, with real purpose, are achieved for our members.”
Further details:
For more information on the EFCEM survey findings, contact sec.gen@efcem2024.onmicrosoft.com .